For 12 of the 14 properties, bidders certify they are qualified by providing verification in the form of a nonrefundable certified check, bank check or money order of $5,000 payable to the city of Holyoke for each property. A $1,000 check or money order is required for properties at 132 Pine St. and a North East Street parcel, according to information provided by City Treasurer Jon D. Lumbra.

Successful bidders must pay the balance of the purchase price at the property closing.

During the auction, bids must be made in a minimum of $100 increments, or an amount specified by the auctioneer, Aaron Posnik & Co. Inc., of Springfield.

With $2,238,735 owed in property taxes, interest and utility bills on the 14 properties dating back to 1976, such auctions are a way for cities and towns to recoup at least some of what is owed.

The understanding is the winning bid won’t equal what the municipality is owed in taxes. But the purchase price gets the city or town at least something, gets taxes coming in again on the property and helps neighborhoods by getting vacant properties occupied.

The properties are doing nothing to benefit the city, Lumbra said.

"By auctioning them off and getting them into the hands of responsible owners we not only add parcels back to the tax rolls but we help build pride within the neighborhood by eliminating the blight and eyesore that has sat there," Lumbra said.

The City Council recently established an ordinance that requires that the council review all properties before they are placed in the auction queue. The reason is certain agencies like the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority might be better suited to dispose of a property than the auction process if an agency knows of a developer or buyer with a specific property need, Councilor at Large Joseph M. McGiverin said.

Other properties up for auction are a business-commercial lot, 405 High St., a residential property, 123 Pine St., a business-commercial property, 586-588 High St., and an industrial property, 28 Water St.

For terms of sale and other information, visit the Aaron Posnik & Co. website at posnik.com.